Airbnb in Paris: How to Choose, Where to Stay, Apartment Tips

Airbnb, once just a novelty used by younger, tech-savvy individuals, now competes alongside hotels for travelers' preferences. Despite the city's government implementing some control measures, Airbnb in Paris is booming! A recent article from the English newspaper The Guardian states that during certain times of the year, there are more Airbnb guests than residents in the Marais area!

To help you better choose Airbnb apartments in Paris, we spoke with Vinícius Costa, owner of the company À la Parisienne, which has been renting apartments via Airbnb since 2009 and also has listings on its own website. He will give us tips and advice on how to choose the best options, the precautions we should take, and where to stay in Paris.

What type of person or traveler profile is most suited for renting an Airbnb apartment in Paris?

Generally, more independent travelers, who require less assistance - whether from the hotel receptionist or concierge - during their stay.

And also people who may not be so independent but are traveling in family or groups of friends and need more space, comfort, and practicality: kitchen, dining room, and bedrooms.

What precautions should we take when choosing an Airbnb apartment in Paris? What are your tips to know if the listing is safe, the apartment is good, the host is reliable, etc.?

It's very important to read the entire listing and check what is offered (for example, if the building has an elevator, which is a frequent requirement for Brazilians), the house rules.
It is essential to also read reviews, as any glitches will be flagged by previous guests in the comments.
Avoid booking an apartment that has no reviews.
Prioritize listings from Superhosts or Airbnb Plus.
Start a friendly conversation with the owner and ask all doubts before confirming the reservation.

What is the best location to stay in Paris?

In my opinion, the best location to stay in Paris is personal opinion. It depends on each person's taste. Many clients ask me what is the best neighborhood in Paris to stay, and I always respond that it depends on the person's style and the kind of tourism they intend to pursue in the city.

If you like a more bohemian neighborhood with a youthful spirit, I would recommend the Marais, Canal Saint Martin, or Bastille.

If you prefer something calmer and family-friendly, opt for the areas around the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro, Passy, the Arc de Triomphe, or even the 17th arrondissement.

If you are looking to shop in luxury (or less luxury) stores, I would suggest the region near the Champs Élysées or near the Opéra Garnier and Galeries Lafayette or close to the Louvre Museum and Rue Saint Honoré.

I can also suggest the famous neighborhood of Saint Germain des Prés, the Quartier Latin, and the Île Saint Louis for those seeking a more intellectual and chic Paris.

Among the areas mentioned above, the central ones, ideal for those who want to do traditional tourism, are Saint Germain des Prés, the Quartier Latin, the Île Saint Louis, the area around Champs Élysées, and around the Louvre Museum. Click here to read our article about Paris's regions.

What periods are the cheapest for lodging in Paris?

Paris is practically high season all year round, but certain times of the year offer more options for apartments and therefore have lower prices. I would mention the months of August, November, early December, January, February, and part of March (excluding Easter).

In some agencies and also on Airbnb, it is common to offer discounts for last-minute bookings. Booking well in advance can guarantee you the best apartment or one you really want, but you will hardly manage to get a better rate. On the other hand, if you wait to book at the last minute, although you might get a better price, you risk being stuck with the worst apartments - those that, for some reason, remain available.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting an Airbnb apartment in Paris compared to staying in a hotel?

Advantages:

Experience the city more like a local than a tourist.
The cost-benefit is much better than a hotel.
Travelers have greater freedom and can, for example, host friends living in the city or who are also visiting.
More space than hotel rooms.
Equipped kitchen where you can have breakfast or make a small dinner and save money.

Disadvantages:

Less overall assistance.
No daily cleaning.
Cancellation policies may vary.
Risk of common issues faced by residents: noisy neighbors, rodents in the building, water leaks, damaged appliances, etc.

Airbnb Apartments in Paris from À la Parisienne

À la Parisienne has been on Airbnb since 2009, the company's profile is verified, and they are Superhosts. Moreover, we at Conexão Paris have recommended the company for years. Many guarantees of excellence!

To see all the Airbnb apartment options in Paris that À la Parisienne has to offer, click here.

Below is a small selection of neighborhoods and regions most sought after by Brazilians.

Airbnb Paris Marais

The Marais, which comprises the 3rd and 4th arrondissements of Paris, is a relatively central, charming, and cool area full of French brand stores and products, bars, restaurants, museums (Picasso, Carnavalet, Hunting and Nature, etc.), and hidden little squares.

Apartment Marais Saint Paul (2 bedrooms, up to 6 people) - A clean, spacious, and bright apartment. Ideal for families or groups of friends. It is close to the Saint Paul metro station, which serves line 1, essential for tourists as it crosses Paris from east to west and connects to the Louvre Museum, Champs Élysées, and the Arc de Triomphe. But you can also walk, the apartment is a 10-minute walk from Notre Dame Cathedral, Hôtel de Ville (Paris City Hall), the charming Île Saint Louis, Centre Pompidou, and the streets of central Paris, around Les Halles; a 20-minute walk takes you to the Louvre Museum and the Tuileries Garden, the Quartier Latin, and Saint Germain des Prés.

Airbnb Paris Champs Élysées

Comfortable 1 Bedroom Apartment Champs Élysées (1 bedroom, up to 2 people) - Situated on a street parallel to the Champs Élysées, between the Arc de Triomphe (15-minute walk) and Place de la Concorde, this cute and cozy apartment is perfect for 2 people. It even has a little balcony! It is near line 1 of the metro which takes you to the Louvre and the Marais. From the Arc de Triomphe station, you can take line 6 to the Eiffel Tower. You can also walk to the Louvre, passing through the gardens of the Champs Élysées and the Tuileries Garden.

Airbnb Paris City Center

The 2nd arrondissement of Paris has a privileged geographic position: to the south is the hyper-center of Paris - where the Louvre is located - to the east is the charming Marais area, and to the west is the Opéra area - with department stores Galeries Lafayette and Printemps - and the Madeleine. The neighborhood itself hosts many restaurants and bars, the famous covered passages, and Rue Montorgueil - the typical French street, full of local shops such as bakeries, pastry shops, cheese shops, and wine shops, etc.

Sentier Apartment Near Rue Montorgueil (3 bedrooms, up to 6 people) - A clean, spacious, and bright apartment. Ideal for families or groups of friends. Close to line 4 of the metro which runs through the hyper center of Paris, passing by Notre Dame Cathedral, Saint Germain des Prés, and Montparnasse.

Airbnb Paris Canal Saint Martin

Although well-known and frequented by Parisians (especially the more informed), the Canal Saint Martin area is outside the traditional tourist circuit in Paris. Charming and friendly - full of cafes, restaurants, and shops - this area attracts a young and cool crowd.

Comfortable Style Canal St Martin Apartment (1 bedroom, up to 4 people) - A typical 19th-century Parisian architectural apartment but with contemporary decoration. Perfect for a couple or a couple with kids.

Airbnb Paris Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower Apartment 1BR Beautiful View (1 bedroom, up to 4 people) - A charming apartment located on a private street in the chic 7th arrondissement of Paris, between the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides. It has recently been renovated, is quiet and well-lit. It offers a lovely side view of the Eiffel Tower. Numerous shopping options within a 5-minute walk from the apartment. Along Avenue Rapp and Avenue Bosquet, you will find bakeries, supermarkets, cheese and wine shops, restaurants, and much more!

About À la Parisienne

With almost 10 years in operation, À la Parisienne is a company specializing in apartment rentals in Paris for Brazilians, offering more than 40 property options. Besides Paris, they also have apartments for rent in Lisbon and Barcelona.

For any questions, please visit the 'Frequently Asked Questions' section of the À la Parisienne website or send an email to [email protected]

Other apartments for rent in Paris from À la Parisienne

Apartments for rent in Paris: À la Parisienne
Apartment for rent in Quartier Latin, Paris
Apartment for rent in front of Tuileries, Paris
Apartment for rent in Trocadéro, Paris
Apartment for rent close to the Eiffel Tower
Apartments for rent in Lisbon and Barcelona

Where to Stay in Airbnb in Paris

Airbnb Tips in Paris